Congratulations to Prachee, our Class of 2019 awardee of a Rose & Victor Rifkin Family Scholarship, now enrolled at Colby College, where she’ll be studying biochemistry on the path to a career in research: 

“Talking about science brings me boundless joy; I might even say that despite speaking three languages, the language I feel most comfortable talking in is the language of science, especially biology.  The topics in biology, the diversity of the field, how synchronized and organized everything is ― it all has always thrilled me.  The endless possibilities, of treating a disease by tweaking or making slight changes in human cells using the genetic materials from other living organisms for their particular traits, amaze me.  I really like biology because I believe that in this particular field of science I can do so much to make human life better.”

Congratulations to Gassendina, Class of 2019, awardee of our first ever Elaine Schear “Voice of the First Generation” Scholarship for Creative Writing.  Gassendina is enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she’ll be majoring in international relations with the goal of becoming a U.S. foreign service officer: 

“If we took the time to learn what life is like in other people’s shoes in different parts of the world, we would find some connections with them; we could all stand together united.  That’s what I want to do for a living, restore relationships between nations and restore empathy.  We shouldn’t argue with people and feel diminished once they share a different opinion.  We are sharing our opinions and stories to be enlightened and to enlighten others.”

Congratulations to Nia, our Class of 2019 awardee of the Dr. David A. Link Scholarship for the Health Professions, who is enrolled at Tufts University, where she’ll be studying biomedical engineering with the goal of becoming a research scientist: 

“My career goal is to cure diseases and improve human conditions using engineering and science through drug development research.  I plan to actively work towards changing the current state of inequality in access and availability of life saving drugs.  Differences in wealth or class should not be the difference between life and death.  Another underlying goal I have in working in research and becoming a scientist is to diversify the scientific fields and careers.  I want to not only lead in the innovation of drugs and contribute to a diverse work space and lab but be a leader and example for younger minority scientists.”

Congratulations to Lena, our Class of 2019 recipient of a First Scholars Award now enrolled at Simmons University, on the career path to becoming a radiologist, with a major in biology:

“Being a young black female interested in the field of science, I have had trouble finding role models.  Going to college will provide me with the academic support to partake in many research opportunities.  These opportunities will help me advance and take on greater roles in the science field so that I can be a role model to young women like myself.  I’m also the oldest child in my family, so all three of my siblings look up to me.  This gives me purpose.  I always have to think about what I do because I know that it will affect my siblings.  My siblings are the future.”

Congratulations to Nellisha, our Class of 2019 awardee of a CRLS Core Values Scholarship, who is now enrolled at Howard University, where she will figure out which of her many interests to pursue: 

“I have always been interested in health and business, but since I am torn on whether to pursue one or the other, I want to go into a career that involves both, so a possible major is health administration.  I was also thinking about going into a pre-med program with a concentration in cardiology, because I am very interested in the heart and the way it works.  In terms of business, I have always been interested in handling money and one day I hope to start my own business.” 

We’d like to extend our well wishes to Nellisha’s mom, who is also currently a college student, attending Northeastern University.

Congratulations to Ulrick, our Class of 2019 awardee of the “100 by 100” Cambridge Business Community STEAM Scholarship for Engineering, who is enrolled at Temple University to study mechanical engineering: 

“I have been interested in engineering since I took the introductory class during my freshman year at CRLS.  I just loved the many different possibilities that I could create, the problems I could fix, the challenges presented to me, and the ability to work with different machines through engineering.  For me, it just all sounds like a fun working environment and a job that I would wake up in the morning excited for.”

Congratulations to Anaya, our Class of 2019 awardee of a CRLS Core Values Scholarship, now enrolled at Bucknell University, where she is a Posse Scholar, a member of a group of exceptional student leaders chosen to collaborate in pursuit of solving some of the world’s biggest problems.  Anaya, who is a third generation CRLS graduate, found her passion as a volunteer peer mediator, helping her fellow CRLS students resolve conflicts:

“Legal studies are where I want to further invest my time.  I am interested in becoming a mediator/negotiator for legal disputes between families.  Communication is vital to maintaining a healthy mindset, and to be able to alleviate the stress of others is a very rewarding task.  Each time I mediate, I realize the various ways I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Congratulations to Albert, our Class of 2019 awardee of the “100 by 100” Cambridge Business Community STEAM Scholarship for Technology and a CRLS Core Values Scholarship, who is now enrolled at the University of California Berkeley, where he’ll major in computer science:

“As someone who hates driving in the city, I want to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to decrease traffic in urban environments.  During my college studies, I plan to focus on learning about algorithms and artificial intelligence and ultimately learn how to use software and robotics to bring my dream of solving urban congestion into reality.  I plan to engage in research to discover new frontiers and perhaps be at the forefront of autonomous systems.”

Congratulations to Sloane, our Class of 2019 awardee of the CRLS Core Values Scholarship Sponsored by the Class of 1953.  Sloane is enrolled at Skidmore College, where she’ll be studying neuroscience and sociology: 

“I want to become a scientific researcher and unravel the impacts of exercise on treating neurodegenerative disorders.  The correlation between increased physical activity and cognitive function, focus, and mood has the potential to naturally prevent and possibly treat many mental illnesses and neurological diseases; and I am eager to discover the true extent exercise impacts the brain.  While the intersection of the brain and exercise is my passion, sociology has long been a field that fascinates me and drives me to view the world through multiple lenses.  As my curiosity has driven me to learn more about how society is built and structured, I have come to question certain aspects of society and assume a role that actively resists injustice.  I plan on reforming the foster care system:  ensuring foster children are placed in safe homes, providing more children with access to foster homes, and increasing the adoption rate of foster children.  I hope to do my part in moving the world in a more positive direction.”